Block signal and train control system for toy railroads



Jam 1940- E. MOKEIGE ET AL a 2,138,756

BLOCK SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOY RAILROADS Filed July 6, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet; 1

' INVENTOR5 ATTORNEY Jam 1940- 555. MCKEIGE ET AL 2,188,756

BLOCK SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOY RAILROADS Filed July 6, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS famzaz-f/amaz- Broil. 4. C346:

ATTORNEY Jail 30, 1940- E. E. MCKEIGE ET AL 2,188,756

BLOCK SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOY RAILROADS Filed July 6, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ELY/Z INVENTORS ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 30, 1 940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE V BLOCK SIGNAL AND TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOY RAILROADS Edward E. McKeige and Noel L..Case, Girard, Pa., assignors to Louis Marx & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 6, 1938, Serial No. 217,694"

This invention relates to toy railroads, and more particularly to an automatic block signal and train control therefor.

The primary object of the invention is to gen- 5 erally improve block signal systems for toy railroads, and also safety train control systems for toy railroads. These systems may be advantageously combined in order to both signal and conpresence of a train in the block, said train closing a signal circuit between the two service rails.

Similar systems have been proposed'for toy rail- I roads, but are inconvenient and" expensive and are therefore not commonly. used. in connection with ordinary toy train sets sold under commercial production and volume sale conditions. Conventional toy tracks have the rails mounted 25. on metallic ties, and the service rails are both grounded. It would be inconvenient and expensive to insulate the service rails from one another throughout the track system, and any signal sys-. tem: based on the use of such tracks would be inapplicable to existing toy train sets already in and these strips may be placed at any desired points along the track. The system is therefore applicable to existing train sets and is very flexible in meeting varied track layout conditions.

, However, the contact strips provide only a momentary signalling current,whereas the signal condition and train control condition should' be maintained until another block is reached, and

it is a further object of the'present invention to overcome this difficulty.

Other objects of the present invention center 7 about the train control system, and are to provide a slow speed or caution condition, as well as the stop and fullspeed' conditions; to provide a small holding potential instead of com plete' deenergization or open-circuiting of the control section for the stop" condition in order to prevent undesired-operation of the remote 23 Claims. (01. 246) control reversing mechanism of trains having such mechanism; to utilize a single resistor to provide both theholding potential and the slow speed potential, depending -'on the condition of v the signal; and finally, to make the slow speed 5 potential a readily adjustable or variable potential so that it may be set toaccommodate varied conditions such as the use of a long or heavily loaded train in contradistinction toa short or lightly loaded. train. k

Still another object is to arrange the system for manual control at a remote point. Because of the use of several trains on the track system with variable speeds relative to one another, and because of the possible and preferable use of a 16' number of signals on the track system, and finally because of the manual push button control which may be used to -interfere with the normal functioning of the system, situations may arise in which the signal control impulses con- 20 fiict, and an improper or unsafe signal may result with consequent collision between trains. This danger is aggravated when using short contact strips to mark the termination of the blocks, for

a wrong signal may be displayed while a train 25 is in a block and. will not be corrected until the train leaves that block. Accordingly, it is a further object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing difficulty and to so arrange the selector mechanism of the signal system that 30 one signal, preferably a red or danger signal,- Will be dominant in the event of conflict in signals. Furthermore, the selector system is so arranged that yellow or caution is always indicated after red' or danger, and before reach 5 ing green or clear. It is found that almost all difiiculty is overcome by this arrangement, for ordinarily the conflict in signals, if it arises at all, consists in a premature green signal impulse, and in the present system this is ignored 40 until the leading train has safely passed out of the red and yellow blocks. I

The signal system is applicable to any track layout. However, one track layout is particularly noteworthy and affords great entertain- 5 ment while using a simple system having onlya single signal; In accordance with a feature and object of the present invention, a single signal may be applied to a track layout in the form of afigure 8. The'signal is mounted ahead of 50 the cross-ovenfand the track contact strips are so placed'as to prevent collision between trains at the cross-over, the second train being stopped andheld at the cross-over until the firsttrain completes one loop of track, and safely passes 5 plied close to the third rail to feed energy to a; circuit the other sideof whiohfis grounded, and

is connected to the third railor transformer. The

the other branch of the cross-over. This train is in turn held at the cross-over while the previously stopped train completes its circuit about the loop. The trains are thus put through the different signal and control conditions in a highly realistic and entertaining manner.

Further objects of the invention center about the structure of the signal, and are to provide signal and control mechanism which is compact, simple, rugged, inexpensive to manufacture, an dependable in operation.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, our invention consists in the block signal and train control elements and their relation one to the other as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front'elevation of a signal embodying features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the selector mechanism mounted Within the base of the signal; i i

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 5 is a plan View of the same;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken in the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged section taken in the plane of the line 1-! of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows the slider of the selector switch;

Fig, Qis a schematic View explanatory of the operation of the slider;

Fig. 10 is a Wiring diagram for the complete signal and train control system when using a single signal;

Fig. 11 illustrates the application of the system to the cross-over of a figure 8 track Fig. 12' is explanatory of the application of the system to a track divided into continuous blocks each associated with a signal; and i Fig. 13 is a modification of such a system. Referringto the drawings, and more particularly toFig, 10, the track comprises. grounded service rails 12 and an insulated third rail 14. Track contact strips [6, I8 and 2!], are disposed at spaced intervals which in practice are, of course, much greater than as shown in Fig. 10. The strips mark the passage of a train and close suitable control circuits. Strips of this character are known, and in some arrangementsare ap in. other cases. are applied close to the service rails, to ground a circuit the other side of which present arrangement is of the latter. type, that is, the strips are applied adjacent the service rails. They may be in the form of clips slipped over the service'rail with insulation therebetween,

or in the form of strips so close to the servicerail as to be touched by the flange of, a passing car wheel, thereby grounding andcompleting an otherwise open circuit. The presentsystem.-is

preferably of the three-position type, although its features may be applied: to a somewhat sim. plified system of the two-positiontype, and it will be noted that the three contact strips are marked R, Y and G and may for convenience, be referred to as red, yellow or. green contact strips, thus denoting. the signal,

' a red magnet.

referred to as a yellow magnet. Strip 20 is connected through conductor 36 to a binding post marked G, and this is connected by conductor 3% to a magnet 49 which, when energized, produces a green signal and is therefore marked G and" may be referred to as a green magnet.

The opposite terminals of the selector magnets" Z8, 34 and 49' are all. connected in common to a conductor 42 which leads to a binding post 44 which is connected by a conductor 46 to the third rail M. It will be evident that the; passage of a train over any one of the contact strips com-'- pletes a circuit throughthecorresponding selector magnet. I

The selector magnets move -a slider 5.53. to any one ofthree positions, andspecific mechanism for this purposeis describedlater; The'movement offslider 50; may be applied to anytype oii. signal. It may, for example, beyapplied t a;

semaphore arm in order to move the sameto horizontal, diagonal or vertical positions. with such an arrangementv a single lamp may be usedto produce red, yellow or green signals by mount-'1 1 ing appropriate lenses on the semaphore arms In the present case, three separate lampsare:35,

used, these being the red, yellowand green lamps. 52, 54 and 56. As isusual with toys, the lamps;

are received in grounded sockets,- th'esystemLbeing;

a single wire system. The center orinsulatedi terminals of the sockets: are connectedto Sta-E 40.

tionary contacts5B, 68- and; 52, one or anotherof which is engaged by a sliding contact or the slider 50. This in turnis connected by. a lead-6.6: to the conductor 42 and terminal 44. heretofore referred to. It will. be evident that either thered, yellow-or green lamp willbe energizeddn response topassage of artrainover: the con'tact x strips I5, l8; or 20;, respectively. I

The arrangement as sofar. described is ob- Y viously well adapted for remote ,manualvcontrol. 0

It is merely necessary to ground a desired oneof the three selector 'magnetcircuits; ,'A"Sllil;a"b1 panel 66'is provided, thiscarryingthree switches.

which may conveniently be-;-inthe formof push I buttons 68, wand 12. 'The red, yellow and? 55 green terminals of the base of the signalare respectively connected to the red, yellow? and green push buttons by means of conductors M, 16 and 18 which may beicombined as'a single", flexible cable. The push button system: is groundedat 80., as by connecting it to thenearest:

convenient point-on'the track system, or, if, de-

sired, a four-wire cablemay be used, the'fourthf wire corresponding tothe ground; wir'e' flil- 'and:

leading back to the grounded terminal 8r2-onvthe f I signalgbase 22. It will be evident that by depressing any one of the three bu-ttons a-corresponding signal indication may be obtainedii So far, the description hasbeen limited to'the:

signal system; Thetrain control fsystemisreadily;

combined with the signal system, the same selector'magnets functioning for both'the signal and train control systems.- A section" ofthethird r'ail M: is insulated from the" remainder of 'thecth'ird rail, thus iorming a-control'sect-ion or block.-. 84;

open-circuited for the Control section 84 is separated from the remainder of the third rail at the points 86 and 88, as by extracting the connecting pins of the track. The distance between points 86 and 88 is preferably equal to the length of the train plus the stopping distance of the train. In a multiple signal ,systemthe control section 84 corresponds to the red or danger block, and thesignal is preferably mounted at the end of this danger block,

that is, at the point 86. The red contact strip I6 is located just beyond point 86 and marks the exit of a train from the danger block. The energlzation of control section 84 is controlled by the selector mechanism, or more specifically, by the slider 58, and for this purpose, additional stationary contacts 92 and 94 are provided. While not necessary, a third contact 98 .is provided in order to keep the switch structure symmetrical. The reason contact 98 is not necessary is that it corresponds to deenergizatlon of control section 84. Contact 94 manifestly applies the full track potential to control section 84, the current being fed from third rail I4 through conductor 46, terminal 44, conductors 42 and 64, slider 58, contact 94, conductor 96, terminal 98 and conductor I88 leading to the insulated third rail section. For the yellow or slow speed condition, the potential applied to the insulated section 84 is reduced by connecting a resistor I82 in series there-. with. Specifically, the current flowing from slider 58 to contact 92 passes through a conductor I84, resistor I82, conductor 96, and thence through terminal 98 and conductor I88 to the'insulated section.

Many toy trains are equipped with remote control reversing systems. Most of these systems work on the principle that whenever the current supply tothe train is completely interrupted, a reversing switch on the train is actuated so that when the train is again energized it will run in the opposite direction. Undesired reversing of the train may be avoided by making the reversing mechanism sensitive to a minute holding current so slight as to be incapable of driving a locomotive .even when lightly loaded. The present system is arranged for use with such a train, and therefore the control section 84 is not completely stop or danger? position, but instead is supplied with a small holding potential. For this purpose a resistor I86 is connected in series between conductors 64 and 96. It is convenient to use a single resistor for both the stop and slow speed conditions, and such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 10, the conductor I84 leading to an intermediate point or tap on a single resistor. This tap may be made movable or variable, thus determining the slow speed potential and consequently the train speed which is obtained during the caution condition. In effect, the slider 58 short-circuits a part of the resistor when resting on contact 92 so that only the part I82 of the resistor is effective, and the slider 58 short-circuits the entire resistor when resting on contact 94 so that the resistor is ineffective.

Inasmuch as contacts 98, 92 and 94 are disposed opposite and correspond to signal contacts 58, 68 and 62, it follows that the control conditions established for insulated section 84 correspond to the signal conditions displayed by the signal lamps. I

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the signal comprises base 22 carrying a selector casing I88 surmounted by a suitable post II8 carrying at its upper end the three signal lamps 52, 54, and 56 which are respectively colored red, yellow and green. The lamp sockets are grounded except for insulated center terminals which are connected by three conductors which extend downwardly through hollow post II8 to the selector switch in casing I88. The resistor I86 previously referred to extends across casing I88 near the bottom thereof, and the slow speed tap is obtained by means of an oscillatable contact arm II2 pivoted at H4, and the lower end of which is bent outwardly to act as a handle II6 projecting through an arcuate slot H8 in casing wall I28. Wall I28, unlike the other three walls of the casing, is preferably made of insulation, thus providing an insulated mounting for contact arm H2. The exposed handle II6 may be moved to one side or the other in order to determine the slow speed potential.

The selector and switch mechanism is next described with reference to Figs. 3 through 9 of the drawings. Thestatio-nary contacts 58, 68 and 62 for the signal lamp control are mounted at one side of a preferably horizontal insulation plate I22 (Fig. located at the top of the selector mechanism. Stationary contacts 98, 92 and 84 for the train controlcircuits are mounted in symmetrical relation on the opposite side of insulation plate I22. The sliding contact 58 is made of a resilient material such as phosphor bronze, and is bent to form outwardly projecting arms which ride over the stationary contacts. The center portionof slider 58 is bent upwardly to inverted trough or channel shape, as is indicated at I24 (Figs. '7 and 8), and rides beneath and in contact with the underside of a stationary brass plate I26 (Figs. 6 and 7). The side edges of plate I26 are bent downwardly and are secured to insulation plate I22 by appropriate tongue and slot connections (Figs. 6 and 7.), but the resulting downwardly turned sides are cut away intermediate the ends of plate I26 to permit the desired movement of sliding contact 58. The inverted trough-like member I26 is connected to terminal 44 of the signal, that is, referring to Fig. 10, it is connected to the conductor 64, and constitutes a means for transferring current to slidable contact 58 without necessitating the use I38 of which fit between the side walls of member I26 and areguided thereby. End I38 is slotted at I32 to receive the upper end I34 (Fig. 6) of a lever I36 (Fig. 4) which is pivoted at I88. The lower end I48 of the lever is connected by means of a link I42 t0 solenoid or magnet plunger I44 which is received within the horizontally disposed solenoid or magnet 28. A spring I46 normally tends to move lever I36 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l, and thereby moves solenoid plunger I44 to its outward position and at the same time moves the slidable contact 58 to the green contacts. Solenoid 28 is the red magnet previously referred to in connection with Fig. 10, and is energized when a train passes the red contact strip, thus pulling the sliding contact to the red position. This is the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The slidable contact is retained in the red position by a suitable detent I 48 (Fig. 3), this detent acting on a stop shoulder I58 of the slide plate (Figs. 5 and 8).

The detent is normally,

e'leva'ted, but may be released by energization of yellow magnet 84, thus permitting return spring M6 to move the selector to the yellow or mid-position. Further movement is, however, prevented by a second detent I52 (Figs. 3 and 4) which engages a second stop shoulder I54 (Figs. 5 and 8) on the slide plate. This detent may be released by energization of the green magnet il whereupon the return spring I it moves the selector to the green position. The yellow and green magnets 34 and 453 are disposed vertically, as is best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In Fig. 4, it will be seen that detent I52 is formed by upwardly bending the end of a plate I56, and this is preferably made of iron or magnetic material. A thin leaf spring made of'non-ferrous material is disposed between armature lit and the magnet, as is indicated by spring I58. The detent is nor mally urged upwardly by spring I58, but upon energization of the magnet,-the armature I56 is pulled down to the magnet, thus releasing detent I52.

' The operation of the selector may be clarified with reference to Fig. 9, which is a schematic diagram having some of the parts re-arranged to clarify the operation. The red, yellow and green lamp contacts are shown at 58, 60 andfiZ. The stop, slow, and full speed contacts are shown at9il, Q2 and 9d. Slidable contact 58 is shown in mid-position, thatis, in the yellow position. The slidable contact is connected to and is moved by the insulation slide plate 128, I39. The plate is normally moved to the green position by any appropriate restoring spring such as the spring M6. When the red solenoid is energized, the slide plate is pulled to the red position by arm I36. It is retained in that position by detent I43 bearing against stop shoulder Ififl. When the yellow magnet is energized, the armature I69 of detent M8 is pulled downwardly from stop shoulder I50, thus permitting spring I46 to move the selector from the red position toward the green position. However, when the selector reaches the yellow position, it is arrested by detent I52 bearing against the stop shoulder 954, as shown in Fig. 9. When the green magnet is energized, the armature I56 of detent I52 is pulled down, thus freeing the slide plate for continued movement under the influence of spring I 36 to the green position.

It will be evident that while the normal position of the signal is green or clear", in the event of conflict of signals, the red signal dominates. It will also be evident that the system cannot change from red to green without stopping at the red position until the yellow magnet is energized, and without again stopping at the yellow position until the green magnet is energized,

Referring now to Fig. 11, I show the application of the signal and train control system to a figure 3 track. The signal, generally designated IE2, is mounted ahead of the cross-over I64. The insulated section 8A isdisposed ahead of the signal. The red contact strip I6 is disposed at the signal and beyond the end of the control section 84. The yellow contact strip I8 is disposed be-' yond the transverse branch of the cross-over I66, while the green contact strip 20 is placed still more remotely. With this arrangement, it will be evident that when a leading train A passes the red contact It, a following train B will face a red signal and will be stopped in control section 84. The following train B will remain stopped until the leading train A runs entirely around theright-hand loop I66 of the figure 8, and until it safely passes thecross-over I64, as is evidenced by it reaching the yellow contact strip I8. At

this time train B proceeds, and runs around the right-hand loop lfit. If train A reachesthe control section 84 before train B again passes crossover I 54, as is usually the case, train A will be stopped until train Breaches contact strip I8. 'In this way collisiontat thecross-over is effectively prevented, and the onlooker sees the train slow'up or stop in response to appropriate signal indications, each train stopping to await the safe pas.- sage ofthe other. The right-hand loop I 66 and left-hand loop I63 may be, and preferably are,

made different in size, the left-hand loopbeing made larger. The margin of safety by which the trains pass one another may be reduced tofas small an amount as desired by simply moving-the contact strips I8 and 2t nearer to the cross-over I 64. For example, the slow speed starting potential maybe fed to train B, while train A is still on the cross-over, but passing the same so rapidly that there is no danger of it being reached bythe slowly starting train B. However, it is better practice to place contact strip I8 away from the cross-over by an amount at least, equal to the length of the train.

' If desired, the system may, of course, be elabof rated by additional signals. In Fig. 11, one additional signal is shown, thisbeing the signal having red contact strip I72, a yellow contact j strip lldand a green contact strip H6 connected to it by appropriate conductors. An insulated control section may be provided by removing connecting pins of the track sections as at-the With this arrangement it H points I18 and I88.

will be impossible for train A to run into train B no matter how slowly train B starts up or how rapidly train A is running, because train A cannot pass signal III) which is set against it until train B passes the yellowcontact strip I'I l, whichis preferably disposed at or beyond the red contact strip I6 of signal I62, so that when train A is permitted to run past signal Ill], it will be facing the red signal at I62, thus protecting it against collision at the cross-over" until train B has safelymadethe circuit of track loop I 66.

Greater variety of the operation of the system may be obtained by manual manipulation of the remote control push buttons on panel 66.v

This push button control need be connected to only one of thesignals, for the remainder of the system will operate in response :to a change produced at onesignal. For example, if signal'IBZ is kept-red despite the safe passage of train A 1 beyond the contact strips I8 and 2! train A- will be stopped by an automatically produced red signal'at I10, for train B will not have passed contacts I'M and I16. I v

The system may, of course,'be further elabo rated to simulate a real continuous block signal system, although at much greater cost. The arrangement is schematically indicatedin Fig. 12, in which the outside or-grounded rails of the track are omitted. The center or third rail is divided up into successive blocks tions I82, IM,

or control sec- Iilfi, and E88. Each section is preferably made long enough to stop a train therein, as is indicated by thetrain C which is shorter than-the sections; A signal with selector mechanism as already described isprovidedv at each block, these signals being generally designated I90, I92 and I94. A contact stripis provided at each signal or at the exit of each block,. thesestrips being marked 19.6, 198;.2-"90, etc. 1 (211 examination of Fig.- 12, it willbe seen that each contact strip is connected to-three signals. For example, the contact strip 200 acts as a red strip for the adjacent signal I94- in which the red lamp is illuminated. It acts as a yellow stripfor the signal I92 inwhich the yellow lamp isilluminated. It acts as a green strip for the signal I90 in which the green lamp is lighted. Thus with train C running out of block I86, a train running-into block I86 is deenergized, a train running into block I84 is permitted to pro ceed-but only under slow s'peed, while a train entering block I82 is permitted to proceed at full speed. Each signal isconnected to three spaced contact strips just as before, but the signals have been brought so close together that the blocks overlap, and instead of using three different contact strips at substantially the same location for three different signals, one contact strip may. be connected to the three different signals, as shown inFig.12.' i

Reverting to Fig.11', in accordance with this same idea the contact strips I6 and I14 may be combined and a single contact strip my be used for the two shown. In such" case the contact strip acts as-a red strip for signal I52 and acts as a"yellow strip for signal I10. g I

In the arrangement of Fig. 12, a second train can enter-a blocl'; in which a first train is still present','provided that the first train is moving out of that block. Collision does not occur because although theleaving train is accelerating only slowly, the trailing train has already been decelerated by a slow speed block, and enters a deenergi'zed block. The unoccupied'part of-the block is ordinarily as great as the stopping distance of the train, and in practice, for the sake of economy in the use of signals, the blocks may be made still longer. I

However, if it is desired to use a large number of signals, the system may be made safe while usingonly short blocks, andsuch a system is shown in Fig. '13, in which the blocks may, if. desired,'be shortened down to substantially the train length. In this arrangement, the contact strip such as the strip 202' acts as a red strip for the adjacent signal 204, and acts as a ,yel-

low strip, not for the next rear signal 2%, but rather for'the signal behind the next signal, namely the signal 208, as shown. It acts as-a green strip for the still more remote signal 2Ill. This arrangement applies to each contact strip, and in practice two adjacent signals show red at any one time. For example, inthe drawing, with train D leaving block 2I2, the red lampit is believed that the construction and 'op-' eration, as well as the many advantages of our improved signal and train control system 'for toy trains, will be a'pparent from the foregoing detailed descriptionthereoi. It will also be'apparent that while We have shown and described our invention in preferred forms, many changes and'modifications may be made in the structure disclosedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the following-claims; In

" .1 the claims, the terms no speed potential or "substantially no potential are intended'to include the case of true'zero potential or open circuit, as well as the slight holding potential which is-provided when dealing with certain types'joi ,remote controlitrain. 1

-We claim: 1

1. A block signal for toy'railroad'systems, said signalcomprising a selector movable to any of sition of said selector, said selector being biased normally to the clear producing position, a first magnet for pulling said selector to the stop producing position, a detent for holding said selectorat the stop producing position,a second detent for holding said selector at the caution producing position, a second magnet for releasing the first detent, and a third magnet for-releasing the second detent.

2. A speed control device for use with toy railroad systems having a potential source, service rails, and a power rail with an insulated section, said control device comprising a selector movable to any of three positions, switch mechanism moved by said'selector to supply the insulated track section with substantially no potential, a moderate slow speed potential, or full track potential, in accordance with said selector posi-,

0nd magnet for releasing the first detent, and a moved by said selector to deenergize orenergize the insulated track section in accordance with said, selector positions and signal indications, and means automatically determining the position-of said selector, said selector being biased normally to the clear producing position, a magnet for pulling said selector to stop, a detent for holding said selector at the stop producing position, and a magnet for releasing the detent.

4. A block signal for use with toy railroad systems having a potential source, service rails, and a power rail with an insulated section, said signal" comprising a selector movable to any of three positions, a signal controlled by said selector to indicate stop, caution or clear, switch mechanism also moved by said selector to supply the insulated track section with substantially no potential, a moderate slow speed potential, or full track potential, in accordance with said selector position and signal indication, and means determining the position of said selector, said selector being biased normally to the clear producing position, a magnet for pulling said selector to the stop producing position, a detent for holding said selector at the stop producing po-" sition, a second detent for holding said selector at the caution producing position, a second magnet for releasing the first detent, and a third magnet for leasing the second detent.

-5. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a block signal, red, yellow and green lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with thetrack to be engagedyby a train,-

running on the track, there being a "red strip at the signal, a yellow strip spaced from the red strip, and a green strip still more remote from thered strip, 'a three-position sliding switch in said signal, contacts controlled by said switch for selectively energizing a red, yellow or green lamp, and means to determine the position of the selector switch, said selector beingto move to the yellow producing position, a

second detent for holding the selector at the yellow producing position, and a third magnet connected: to the green contact strip for releasing the second detent.

6. A control system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded' service rails and a, power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a control device, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a stop" strip,

a slow strip spaced from the stop strip, and

a go'strip still more remote from the stop" strip, a three-position sliding switch in said device, to be connected in series, with a supply con- J ductor leading to-the insulated power rail section, and contacts controlled by said switch, said o act bein so arr n e in he pply circui that said insulated section is suppliedwith a no speed potential by one contact, a moderate slow speed potential by a second contact, or full track 1 potential by a third contact, and means to. de-

termine the position of the selector switch, said; i

' said service rails, a control section of' said power selector bein biased normally to the full poten- 1 net; connected to the slow contact strip for releasing the-detent and permitting the selector tial position, a magnet connencted to the. stop contact strip for moving the selector to the no potential, position, a detent for holding the selector at the no potential position; a second magto move to the moderate potential position, a

second detent for holding the selector at the moderate potential position, and a third magnet connected to the go contact strip for releasing the second detent.

'7. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having ground- 3 ed service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails: a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal disposed near the end ofthe control section, stop andxgo lamps on i said signal, contact strips associated with the track to, be engaged by a train runnnig onthe track, there being a stop strip at'the signal and a go strip remote from the stop strip, a sliding switch in said signal, contacts controlled by said switch for selectively energizing a stop or go lamp, and additional contacts, controlled by said switch whereby said insulated section is substantially denergized or energized corresponding to the stop or go, lamp, and means to determine the position'of the selector switch, said selector being biased normally to the go producing position, a magnet connected to the stop contact strip for moving the selector to the stop producing position, a detent for hldin-g the selector at the stop" producing position, and a second ma et conn cte t th i c-"contact strip. at:

end of the controlsection, red, yellow and green lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engagedby atrainrunnningon the track, there being a red strip at the I signal, a yellow strip, spaced from the-red S rip, and a green strip still moreremotefrom the redstrip, a three-position switch in, said si nal, con acts controlled by s id switch o e lectively energizing the red, yellow-or green lamp,

a resistor in aid sig al. t be,conn,ecte .i, ;$e-

ries-With' a s p y ndu cr l ad ng 'th n: trol section, and contacts controlled, by" said switch whereby said control section is supplied a with no speed potential, a moderateslow; speed potential, or full track potential, corresponding 0.v the red, yel ow or green lamps a d' ns to determine the position of the selectorswitoh,

said selector being biased normally to the green producing position, a magnet, connected to the red contact strip formoving the selector'to the 7 red producing position, a detent for holding the selector at the, red producing position, a second magnet connected to the yellow contact strip for releasing the detent and permit,- ting the selector to move to the"yellow producin P sition, a second detent for holding the, selector at the yellow producing position, and

a third magnet connected; to the,green contact 1 strip for releasing the s cond detent;

9,. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal disposed near the. end

oi the control section, red, yellow and green lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the trackqto be engaged by a train,

on the. track, there being a red strip at the signal, a yellow strip spacedfrom the red strip, and a green strip still more remote from the red strip, a three-position sliding switch in, said signal, contacts controlled by said switch for selectively energizing the red, yellow or green lamp, a resistor in said signal, anadjustable tapmovable betweenthe ends of said resistor, saidresistor being connected in series with a; supply conductor leading to. the control section, and additional contacts controlled by said switch for short-circuiting the tapped portion or all of said resistor, whereby said control section is supplied with a small holding potential, a moderate slow speed potential, or full track potential, corre-' sponding to the red, yellow or green lamps, and

means to'determine the position of the selector switch, said selector being biased normally to the green producing position, a magnet connected to the red contact stripfor moving the selector to the red producing position, a detent for holding the selector at the: red producing position, a second magnet connected to the yellow contact strip for releasing the detent andpermitting the selector to move; to the yellow producing position, a second detent for holdingthe selector at the; yellow producing position,

and a third magnet connected to the green,

contact strip for releasing the. second. detent;

10. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a block signal, red, yellow and green lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a red strip at the signal, a. yellow strip spaced from the red strip, and a green strip still more remote from the red strip, a three-position sliding switch in said signal, said switch including a horizontal insulation plate, a slider horizontally reciprocable thereover, stationary contacts 56- cured to said insulation plate, the contacts being connected to the red, yellow and green lamps,

and three magnets for determining the three positions of the sliding switch respectively, each of said magnets being connected to a respective one of the aforesaid contact strips.

11.,A control system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a control device, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being'a stop strip, a slow strip spaced from the stop strip, and a go strip still more remote from the stop strip, a three-position sliding switch in said device, said switch including a 7 horizontal insulation plate, a slider horizontally reciprocable thereover, and stationary contacts secured to said insulation plate, a resistor in said device to be connected in series with a supply conductor leading to the insulated power rail section, the switch contacts being so connected that said insulated section is supplied with a no speed potential, a moderate 'slow speed potential, or full track potential, and three magnets for determining the three positions of the sliding switch, each of said magnets being connected to a respective one of the aforesaid contact strips.

12. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal disposed near the end of the control section, stop and go lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on thetrack, there being a stop strip at the signal and a go strip remote from the stop strip, a sliding switch in said signal, said switch including a hor- V izontal insulation plate, a slider horizontally reciprocable thereover, and stationary contacts secured to said insulation plate in spaced relation, two of'the contacts being connected to the stop and go lamps, additional contacts on the insulation plate whereby said control section is either substantially deenergized or energized, corresponding to the stop and go lamps, and magnets for determining the positions of the sliding switch, each of said magnets being connected to a're spe ctive one of the aforesaid contact strips.

13. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal disposed near the end of the control section, red, yellow and green lamps on said signal,-contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a red strip at the signal, a yellow strip spaced from the red strip, and a green strip still more remote from i said insulation plate in spaced relation, three contacts being connected to the red, yellow and green lamps, a resistor in said signal-to be connected in series with a supply conductor leading to the control section, and additional contacts on the insulation plate whereby said control section is supplied with no speed potential, a moderate slow speed potential, or full'track potential corresponding to the red, yellow and green lamps, and three magnets for determining the three positions of the sliding switch, each of said magnets being connected to a respective one of the aforesaid contactstrips; 1 l

14. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal disposed near the end of the control section, red, yellow and green insulation plate, a slider horizontally reciprocable thereover, stationary'contacts secured to said insulation plate in spaced relation, three contactsbeing connected to the red, yellow and green lamps, a resistor in said signal, an adjustable tap movable between the ends of said resistor, said resistor being connected in series with a supply conductor leading to the control section, additional contacts on the insulation plate so connected as to short-circuitthe tapped portion or all of the resistor whereby said insulated section is supplied with a small holding potential, a moderate slowspeed potential, or full track potential, corresponding to the red, yellow and green lamps, and three magnets for determining the three positions of the sliding switch, each of said magnets being connected to a respective one of the aforesaid contact strips.

15. A toy train system including a cross-over, two trains, and a single block signalfor preventing collision between the trains at the cross-over,

said system comprising a track arranged in the form of a figure 8, two trains on said track rung near the cross-over, said signal being wired .to

points on the trackso selected asto'establish a danger block which extendsall the wayfrom the approach side of the cross-over, completely around one loop of the figure 8, and back to a point behind the return side of the cross-over,

said device having signal means to indicate danger when a train is inthe aforesaid loops of the figure 8, and having train control means to simultaneously deenergize the insulated power rail section.

l6. Atoy train system including a cross-over,

two trains, and means for preventing collision between the trains at the cross-over, said system comprising a track arranged in the form of a figure 8,, two trains on said track running besulated from the remainder of the power rail,

track contact strips associated with said track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a stop strip at the signal ahead of the cross-over and a go strip beyond the crossing or return side of the cross-over, a selector for substantially deenergizing or energizing the insulated control section, and means for automatically moving said selector, said means being connected to said stop and go track contact strips for energization therefrom.

17. A toy train system including a cross-over, two trains, and a single block signal for preventing collision between the trains at the cross-over, said system comprising a track arranged in the form of a figure 13, two trains on said track running behind one another in the same direction, said track being ordinary track with grounded service rails and an insulated power rail, a section of said power rail leading to the cross-over being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal at the end of said control section near the cross-over, track contact strips associated with said track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a red strip at the signal ahead of the cross-over and a green strip beyond the crossing or return side of the cross-over, red, and green signal lamps on said signal, a selector for energizing a red or] green lamp and for substantially deenergizing or energizing the insulated control section corresponding to the red and green lamps, and means for automatically moving said selector, said means being connected to said red and green track contact strips for energization therefrom.

18. A toy train system including a cross-over, two trains, and a single block signal for preventing collision between the trains at the crossover, .said system comprising a track arranged in the form of a figure 8, two trains on said track running behind one another in the same direction, said trackbeing ordinary track with grounded service rails and an insulated power rail, a section of said power rail leading to the cross-over being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal at the end of said control section near the cross-over, track contact strips associated with said track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a red strip at the signal ahead of the crossover, a yellow strip beyond the crossing or return side of the cross-over, and a green strip still more remote from the return side of the cross-over, red, yellow and green signal lamps on said signal, a resistor connected in series with a current supply lead for said insulated power i rail section, an adjustable tap for said resistor,

a selector for energizing a red, yellow or green lamp and for short-circuiting a part or all of the resistor corresponding to the yellow and green signals, whereby the insulated control section is supplied with a small holding potential, or a moderate slow speed potential, or full track potential corresponding to the red, yellow andgreen lamps, and means for automatically moving said selector to any of its three positions, said means being connected to said "red, yellow and green trackcontact strips for energization therefrom.

19. A block signal system for a toy railroad.

comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said,

service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power j v rail, a block signal disposed, near the end of the J control section, stop and go lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running ,on the track, there being a stop strip 'at the signal, and a gostrip remote from the stop ,signaL -a sliding switch in said signal, contacts controlled by said switch for selectively energizing a stop or go lamp, and additional contacts controlled by said i switch whereby said insulatedsection is sub-j j stantially deenergized or energized corresponding to the stop or go lamps, and means to deter-.

mine the position of the selector switch, said selector being biased normally to the -go'- ,pro-

ducing position, amagnet connected to the stop contact strip for moving the selector to the stop producing position, a detent for holding the selector at the stop producing position, and a second magnet connected to the go contactstrip for releasing-the detent, and apair of re-, mote control push button switches connected to the aforesaid magnets for energizing the same under manual control when desired.

20. A block signal system for a toy railroad, comprising a conventionaltrack having'grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power rail being insulated from the remainder of the power rail, a block signal disposed near the end of the I control section, red, yellow and greenlamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a red strip at the signal, a

yellow strip spaced from the red strip, and a green strip still more remote from the red; strip, a three-position switch in said'signal, cone tacts controlled by said switch for selectively en,-

ergizing the red, yellow or green lamp, a resistorin said signal to be connected in series with a supply conductor leading to the control section,

and contacts controlled by said switch whereby said control section is supplied with no speed potential, a moderate slow speed potential, or full track potential, corresponding to the red, yellow or green lamps, and means to determine the position of the selector switch, said selector being biased normally to the green producing position, a magnet connectedto the red co-ntact strip for moving the selector to the red producing position, a detent for holding, the selector at the red producing position, a second magnet connected to the "yellow contact strip for releas-' ing the detent and permitting the selector to move to the yellow producing position, a'second I detent for holding the selector at the yellow y producing position and a third magnet connected to the green contactstrip for releasing the second detent, and a remote switch panel with three push button switches connected to the aforesaid magnets for energizing any one of the magnets under manual control when desired.

21. A. block signal system for a toy railroad,

comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a control section of said power railv being insulated from the remainder of thepower rail, a block signal disposed near the end of the control section, red, yellow and green lamps on 75:

said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a trainrunning on the track, there being a red strip at the signal, a yellow strip spaced from the red strip, and a green strip still more remote fromthe red strip, a three-position sliding switch in said signal, said switch including a horizontal insulation plate, a slider horizontally reciprocable thereover, stationary contacts secured to said insulation plate in spaced relation, three contacts being connected to the red, yellow and green lamps, a resistor in said signal to be connected in series with a supply conductor leading to the control section, and additional contacts on the insulation plate whereby said control section is supplied with no speed potential, a moderate slow speed potential, or full track potential, corresponding to the red, yellow and green lamps, and three magnets for determining the three positions of the sliding switch, one of said magnets being connected to each of the aforesaid contact strips, and a remote switch panel with three push button switches connected to the aforesaid magnets for energizing any one of the magnets under manual control when desired.

22. A speed control device for use with toy railroad systems having a potential source, service rails, and a power rail withan insulated section, said control device comprising a selector movable to either of two positions, switch mechanism moved by said selector to supply the insulated track section with substantially no potential or full track potential, in accordance with said selector positions, and means determining the position of said selector, said means including a spring normally biasing said selector to the full potential position, a first magnet for pulling said selector to the'no potential position, a detent for holding said selector at the no potential position, and a second magnet for releasing the detent.

23. A block signal system for a toy railroad comprising a conventional track having grounded service rails and a power rail insulated from said service rails, a block signal, red and green lamps on said signal, contact strips associated with the track to be engaged by a train running on the track, there being a "red strip at the signal and a green strip remote from the "red strip, a sliding switch in said signal, said switch including an insulation plate, a slider reciprocable thereover, stationary contacts secured'to said insulation plate, the contacts being connected to the red'and green lamps respectively, resilient means normally biasing theslider to the contact (7011-, nected to light the green lamp, a first magnet for moving the slider to the contact connected to light the red lamp, a detent for holding the slider in'the latter position, and a second magnet for releasing the detent, the first of said magnets being connected to the "red strip and the second magnet being connected to the green strip.

EDWARD E. McKEIGE. NOEL L. CASE. 

